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ASHEVILLE - The Junction in the River Arts District has been sold, with the last meal served Oct. 22. A restaurant called Vivian, by the owners of Burial Beer's house restaurant Salt & Smoke, is slated to open in its place as early as December.

Charles and Tanya Triber opened the Junction on Depot Street in 2011, expecting the RAD to grow at a quicker clip, they told the Citizen-Times in 2015. But their hospitality and the talents of several different chefs won a steady stream of devotees.

Two Depot Street neighbors — Pizza Pura and Blue Kudzu sake brewery — opened and closed during the Junction's tenure.

Yet the Tribers say the grind of the restaurant business is no longer a good fit for their lives.

"Tanya and I are immensely grateful for our time as restaurateurs," Charles Triber said in an emailed statement. "The Junction brought some incredible people into our lives — both staff and guests — and connected us to the Asheville community to a degree that
would never have been possible otherwise."

The demands of the industry no longer work for the Triber family, which includes two young girls, he continued.

"Although it is bittersweet to say goodbye to The Junction, we are confident that passing the torch to the capable folks of Salt & Smoke will continue to anchor this corner of the RAD with great food, drink and service."

Shannon McGaughey, co-owner of Salt & Smoke, said Vivian will have an extensive wine list, cocktail menu, selection of local and international beers and cordials.

The menu, by her husband and Salt & Smoke chef Josiah McGaughey, will blend Southern roots with old world European traditions in an elevated version of the menu served at Burial Beer.

Salt & Smoke began as a culinary busking operation at Burial Beer, becoming the popular South Slope brewery's house restaurant in 2015. Salt & Smoke remains open as the McGaugheys work on their new restaurant.